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After 5 years in Finland it is time for me to move back home to the UK, one of the reasons I have been a little quiet over the last few weeks. To commemorate the time I have spent in the country I wanted to share two photos.

Over the five years I have taken hundreds, maybe even thousands, of photos all over the country, a small selection has been shared on these pages. These two images represent that journey. When I arrived I went to a cabin by the lake to spend Midsummer with a group of friends. The photo above was taken of the midnight sun, a typical view over summer, and one of the first pictures I took in the country.

Now, Finland celebrates its 100th year of independence and across the country different celebrations and events take place. Below is a farm where they have created a Finnish flag out of hay bales. This photo was taken late at night, around 11pm, and one of the last I will take.

Finland 2017

Of course I will be back to Finland in the future and still have plenty more photographs to share with you from my time in Finland.

Further Reading

If you are interested to see what I have done over the last five years in Finland you could read some of my favourite and most popular posts.

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Finland is often referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun and at this time of year you can see why. This weekend people in Finland will be celebrating Juhannus (midsummer), so I have compiled some photographs of the midnight sun. Hopefully If the weather is good over the weekend I will be able to add a few more.

Many of my photographs were taken during my time in Lapland, I even snuck one in from Norway, as there are many more days when the midnight sun is visible (depending how far north you go it can even be two months before the next sunset). In the south of Finland the midnight sun is usually in a state of constant sunset/sunrise during midsummer, if the weather allows.

After a year it is time to leave the Arctic Circle and head south for the winter. It has been an excellent experience to see Lapland change throughout the year with its dramatic seasonal extremes.

As well as the difference in climate there is also a difference in lifestyle, a more back to basics living. Nature is a large part of living in Lapland and during the long summer days you can make the most of it. To really enjoy Lapland you have to come to terms with the dark and cold days during the winter.

I have shared many of my photographs with you over the year but there are stills some I haven’t. I have compiled a list of the last year, a photograph for each month. Some you might have seen but many you wouldn’t have.

Lapland often refers to the northern parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway that are inside of the Arctic Circle. The area is mainly considered a winter destination with many international visitors coming to visit Santa Claus and experience other winter activities.

The area of Lapland also has a lot to offer during the summer, that’s right, even within the Arctic Circle there is a summer. The landscape is varied and breathtakingly beautiful with a history and culture unknown to most.

I have compiled a short list of 5 things to do in Finnish Lapland in the summer from what I have experienced during my time in the Arctic Circle.

Ylläs

Fell Walking

Finland has many superb National Parks with miles and miles of marked and maintained trails, fireplaces and overnight cabins. Among the best are Urho Kekkonen, Lemmonjoki, and on my doorstep Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Take a walk over the fells and enjoy a sausage cooked over an open wood fire in the Finnish nature. Be on the lookout for wildlife, Finnish Lapland is home to around 200,000 reindeer that are allowed to roam freely.

Aakenus

Visiting the Three Nations Border Point

The Three Nationals Border Point can been reached from Kilpisjärvi by a 11km one way walking trail, a ferry then a short walk, or a combination of the two. The monument marks the point where Norway, Sweden and Finland’s borders meet.

Even though the walk is long the terrain is fairly easy. Once elevated the route is flat, you are then presented with views in all directions and across three different countries. Using the ferry connections allows even the less able to visit the the Three Nation Border Point monument.

Three Nations Border Point

If you are visiting Kilpisjärvi it is also worth a walk to the top of Saana, a three hour walking route that consists of 742 steps! The Saana fell towers over Kilpisjärvi providing great views and its unique shape dominates the surrounding landscape.

Kilpisjärvi and Saana

Experiencing the Midnight Sun

The Midnight Sun can be experienced all over Finland with Midsummer celebrations being a large part of Finnish culture. Usually people will spend it at a cabin with friends and family while they watch the sun never completely set. In Lapland 24 hour daylight lasts for well over a month!

Midnight in Lapland

Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church

From the town of Inari Pielpajärvi Wilderness church is a 7km walk, but if you have access to a car you can park further up the trail, shortening your walk to 4km each way. The path winds through the forest littered with rocks then follows the lake until you come to an open area that was once the town center many, many years ago.

The first church was erected in this area in 1646, while the present church that still stands there today, after some restoration, was built in 1760. When the nearby town of Inari grew a new church was built there, leaving this church unused for many years. It wasn’t until after World War II, when the Inari church was destroyed, that Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church was used again.

Inari Wilderness Church

While you are in Inari the Siida Museum is well worth a visit, with exhibits that detail the history of Lapland centered on Sami culture. Sami culture is very important in the history of Lapland and it is impressive to see how people survived in this remote area with difficult weather conditions during those early years.

Berry Picking

Finland is a firm believer in the Everyman’s Right, this means that everyone is allow access to Finland’s beautiful and secluded nature with as little restrictions as possible. People are free to walk, camp and collect berries, mushrooms and other edible treats that grow from the forest floor.

During the summer months many people will be out collecting what nature has to offer, but you have to be quick as the herds of reindeer might beat you to it. Long sleeves are a must if you want to avoid the mosquitoes.

Blueberry Fields Forever

There are still many other activities available in Finnish Lapland that I haven’t included in this list such as mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, bird watching, Frisbee golf and many others. Lapland is also home to many summer events and festivals including the Sodankylä Midnight Sun Film Festival, making Lapland well worth a visit any time of year.

Tell me what you think. Is there something that I have missed that you think is a must when visiting Lapland in the summer?

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The last few weeks I have been travelling and had little time to post my experiences, I look forward to sharing them with you very soon. For now here is a sight that I haven’t seen for the last few months. Lapland has been without a sunset for the last two months but while travelling to southern Finland I was able to see one again and it was beautiful.